The peaceful transfer of power is a tenet of our democracy, and a tremendous logistical undertaking.
Of the 3,000 events that take place on Washington’s National Mall each year, none requires more advanced work and complex preparation than the Presidential Inaugural Ceremonies. Hundreds of thousands (and in rare cases, millions) of people descend upon the Capitol every four years or eight years to observe the peaceful transition of power. For this symbol of democracy to run smoothly, it takes tremendous effort and coordination from the government and military — and, of course, plenty of porta-potties to accommodate the dense crowds of spectators.
While always a huge undertaking, this year’s inauguration poses special challenges to logisticians tasked with planning the event.